Roll top extension table



Dec. 13, 1955 s. J. MASON 2,726,911

ROLL. TOP EXTENSION TABLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 18, 1954 V A 3 2 3a 72 1| "W: nuuu uuuiq fi W L i q 40 Illlli Samuel J. Mason INVENTOR.

Dec. 13, 1955 5. J. MASON 2,726,911

ROLL TOP EXTENSION TABLE Filed June 18, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Samuel J. M050 7 INVENTOR.

United v States Patentf) ROLL TOP EXTENSION TABLE Samuel J. Mason, Jamestown, N. Y. Application June 18,1954, Serial No. 437,622

Claims. "(CL 311-165) This invention relates to an extension table, and more specifically provides a table that may be constructed in various sizesv for various uses wherein the device finds advantageous utilization in small apartments having small dining areas wherein the table may be extended for use and retracted for storage, as desired.

An object of this invention is to provide an extension table that does not require the use of extra extension leaves wherein by a single pulling operation, the table is extended or retracted to any desired position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an extension table havinga novel table surface including a plurality of transversely elongated sections that are hingedly secured together wherein the sections are guided into substantially a spiral storage position and will be extended into a straight extended position.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an extension table conformable to the preceding objects that may be utilized for small apartments or similar places requiring a table or desk which may be collapsed to a compact condition for permitting use of the area occupied thereby for other purposes and also providing an extension table that may be utilized in relatively large banquet halls or the like wherein the table may be extended to any desired length, depending upon the size and other details of structure.

Yet another important featureof the present invention is to provide an extension table that may be provided with a cabinet for receiving the table in its retracted position wherein the cabinet and table may be provided with drawers or shelves for receiving various utensils normally found in a dining room or the like.

Other objects of the present invention are found in its simplicity of operation, ruggedness in construction, adaptability for various uses, flexibility of size and its relatively inexpensive manufacture.

' These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a perspective view showing the extension table of the present invention with the table surface in extended position; v

Figure 2 is a bottom plan section showing the construction of the extension table and a portion of the spiral trackways for receiving the table surface; Figure 3 isa detail sectional view taken substantially alonga plane passing along section line 33 of Figure 2, showing the details of construction of the trackways for guiding the movement of the table surface sections as they are extended and retracted;

Figure 4 is a detailed bottom plan view of a portion of the projections forengagement with a trackway;

Figure 5 is a detailed, sectionalview taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 5'5 of Figure 4 showing the structural details ofthe interconnecting hinge means between adjacent sections of the table top surface;

Figure 6 is a detailed-sectional'v'iew taken substantially along section line 6-6 of Figure3 showing the relationship of the trackwayv and the projections received therein together with the rollers on the projections for guiding the inward and outward movement of the table surface; r V

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a single section'of the table top surface showing ,themeans for interlocking the sections so that they will not longitudinally slide in rela tion to each other;

Figure 8 is a detailed section similar to Figure 3, showing a modified form of the trackway wherein the trackway is constructed of a channel-shaped strap iron having a longitudinal slot therein for receiving the projections on the table top sections; and a Figure 9 is a detailedsectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 9--9 of Figure 8 showing the specific construction of the trackway for slidably receiving the projections on the table top sections.

Referring now specifically to Figures 1-7 of the drawings, it will be seen that the numeral 10 generally designates the extension table of the present invention including a cabinet havinga top surface 12, side members 14, a back member 16, "a front 18 that is provided with a projecting area 20 having a pair of swinging doors 22 therein together with a drawer '24 for storage of the articles normally found in a dining room. The interior of the cabinet is provided with an enlarged area 26 that is in communication with the front of the cabinet by a horizontal passage 28. A table top surface generally indicated by the numeral 30 is movable through the passage 28 into the enlarged area 26 and a table top member 32 is secured to theo'utermost portion of the table top surface 30 in alignment therewith wherein the member 32 is provided with a pair of depending legs 34 and a plurality of drawers 36 for receiving silverware or the like. It will be seen that the depending legs 34 are so positioned for engagement alongside the projecting area Not the face 18 of the cabinet as to provide a novel appearance to the cabinet when the table surface 30 is received entirely within the cabinet.

The tabletop surface 30 is constructed of a plurality of transversely elongated side-by-side sections 38 that are pivotally secured together as hereinafter described. A plurality of extensible support members 40 are provided with the innermost sections secured to the cabinet and the outermost sections secured to the undersurface of the table top member 32 thereby providing additional support to the table top surface 30. The extensible support members 40 may be of any well known commercially available construction wherein the component parts are easily adjustable in either the retracted or extended position. Obviously, the extensible supports 40 may be disposed in a manner as shown in Figure 2-or in an opposite manner wherein the innermost sections are secured to the undersurt'ace of the tabletop member 32.

Referring now specifically to Figures 4 and 5, it will be seen that each of the tabletop-surface sections 38 is provided with a longitudinal groove 42 in one edge thereof and a longitudinal projection 44 in the other longitudinal edge thereof wherein the grooves 42 and the projections 44 are complementary to each other and generally circular in cross-section, thereby providing a pivotal movement of the sections 38 in relation to each other when the projections 44 are seated in thegrooves 42. It will be seen that each of -'-the projections is provided with a recessed area 46 therein for alignment with a projecting flange-48 on a mounting bracket 50; The mounting Patented Dec. 13, 1955 bracket so is provided with fastening means.

3 a central projecting area 52 having a depending lug 54 thereon for receiving a transverse axle 56 that rotatably supports a roller 58 on each end thereof. The flange 48- projects inwardly through a slot. or recessed area 59 in. the bottom portion ofthe groove 42 and engages within the recessed area 46 in the projection 44 thereby preventing relative longitudinal movement between the adjacent sections 38 while the bracket 50 isin position. It will be seen that suitable screw threadedfastening members 60 are provided for attaching the bracket 50 to the under-surface of the sections 38 wherein the bracket 50 may be removed, thereby permitting the sections 38 to be removed or detached from each other for permitting replacement of a section 38 or permitting adjustment in the length of the table top surface 30.

Referring now specifically to Figure 3, it will be seen thata spiral member 62 terminating in a central area 64 is provided with a pair of transverse mounting bars 66 received in apertures 68 wherein the mounting bars 66 extend transversely between the ends 14 of the cabinet and are secured thereto for supporting the spiral members 62. It will be seen that the spiral members 62 may be constructed of two sections held together by screw fasteners 70. The'spiral members 62 may be constructed of any suitable material,.such as an aluminum casting or the like. As shown in Figure 6, the outer periphery of the spiral member 62 is provided with a recessed portion 72 having a longitudinal slot 74 communicating therewith .wherein the recessed channel 72 extends completely about the periphery of the spiral member 62 wherein the rollers 58 are received in the channel 72 and the lugs 54 extend therethrough and the projecting portions of the bracket 56 ride against the outer surface of the spiral member 62, thereby forming a bearing area for the sections 38 wherein the sections 38 are secured in movable relation to the spiral member 62 for movementinto and out of the compartment 26.

In operation, the table top member 32 is grasped and either pulled or pushed, depending on whether the device is being extended or retracted. The sections 38 are moved longitudinally of the spiral member 62 with the rollers 58 positioned in the channel 72 wherein the channel 72 will guide the inner portion of the table top surface 30 about the spiral 62 wherein the table top surface 30 will be supported in a compact spiral condition for storage. During retraction and extension of the sections 38, the

. extensible supports 40 also sequentially extend and contract.

Referring now specifically to Figures 8 and 9, it will be seen that the numeral 76 generally indicates a modified form of the extension table wherein a spiral member 78 is formed of strap iron having a channel shape, as indicated by the numeral 80, with inturned longitudinal edges 32 that are spaced from each other, thereby forming a slot for slidably receiving the lugs 54 that position the rollers 58 within the channel member 80. The inner end of the spiral member 78 is secured to a transverse pipe 34 by suitable screw fastener 86 or other suitable The'pipe 84 extends transversely between the end walls 14 of the cabinet and is provided with an end flange 88 that is attached thereto by fasteners 98. The outer end of the spiral 78 is bent downwardly and outwardly, as indicated by the numeral 92, and is secured to a portion of the cabinet by screw threaded fasteners 94. The slot 80 extends forwardly in parallel relation to the opening 28, wherein the slot is substantially tangential to the spiral member 78 for receiving the lugs 54 and the rollers 58 on the sections 38 of thestable top surface 30.

. The operation of the modified form of the device as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 is substantially the same as the device as illustrated in Figures 1-7 wherein the spiral member 78 is constructed of suitable strap iron or other similar materials wherein thespiral member-78 may receive a greater length of the table surface sections 38 in a smaller area. Further, the reduced bulkiness of the spiral member 78 permits the device to be easily and quickly inserted in the cabinet as desired and also provides an inexpensive manufacture.-

While the accompanying drawings illustrate two preferred forms of the invention, it will be understood that a the extension table may be constructed of any suitable width and length according to the particular needs of each installation. Further, the device may be incorporated in a. cabinet, as shown, or may be incorporated in a recess within a wall or any other piece of furniture. the'device may be utilized as a table, desk or any other similar device requiring a flat stable upper surface. Further, it is within the realm of this invention to provide additional folding legs'attached to the extensible support for supporting the table surface 30 especially where the table surface 30 is elongated, such as an installation in a banquet hall or the like, wherein the table surface may be utilized for seating arelatively large number of people. 7 Also, the various components of this invention may be constructed of any readily obtainable materials, and the table top sections 38 are preferably constructed of various types of material normally utilized in the construction of fine furniture, thereby enhancing the appearance of the device and assuring long lasting accuracy to the various components, thereby preventing warping and consequent binding of the elements. In the event that one of the sections 38'becomes damaged or needs replacement for any reason, it will be seen that the single section may be easily replaced by removing the bracket on adjacent sections 38, in an obvious manner. Further, the projections on the underside of the sections 38 may be positioned in a single central row or rows'spaced inwardly 7 from the side edges thereby protecting the knees of persons 7 seated at the table from injury due to contact with the projections.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since nu-' merous modifications and changes will readily occurto those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described,

and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An extension table comprising an enclosure, an extensible table top normally positioned in said enclosure, means for guiding the movement of said table top in said enclosure, and means for supporting the outer end of said table top, said guide means including a spiral trackway and said table top being provided with projections slidably positioned within said trackway for guiding the movement of the table top relative to the enclosure, said table top including a plurality, of pivotal sections hingedly connected to each other along their adjacent edges, and a depending projection on each section for engaging said trackway, said trackway being generally channel-shaped with inturned edges forming a groove, and said projections extending through the groove and terminating in a transverse extension for captive sliding movement in the channel-shaped trackway. V

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said projections are secured to a bracket on the underside of each section, said bracket having a raised portion adjacent the projection for sliding contact with the peripheral surface of the trackway thereby retaining the inturned edges of the channel-shaped trackway between the raised portion of the bracket and the transverse extension.

3. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein each of the table top sections is providedwith an elongated groove in one edge and an elongated'projecting rib on the other edge, said rib and groove having intaglio cylin- Further,

drical surfaces for pivotal engagement, and means for locking the ribs in engagement with the adjacent grooves.

4. The structure as define-d in claim 3 wherein said locking means includes a recessed portion in said ribs and grooves, and a projecting flange on each of said brackets for engaging said recessed portions thereby preventing sliding movement between adjacent sections, said ribs and grooves having surfaces forming a major arc or a circle thereby assuring the pivotal assembled connection therebetween.

5. An extension table comprising a cabinet enclosure, an extensible table top normally positioned within said closure, said table top comprising a plurality of transverse sections pivotally connected at their edges, means for supporting the outer end of said table top, and spiral guide means mounted in said enclosure for guiding the inward and outward movement of said table top, said guide means includes a spiral trackway having an undercut groove in the outer periphery thereof, and a depending projection on each of said sections extending into said groove, each of said depending projections terminating in a transverse extension received in the undercut portion of the groove thereby slidably retaining the projection in the groove and holding said sections adjacent the outer periphery of the spiral trackway, each of said sections having an elongated groove on one edge thereof, an elongated rib on the other edge thereof, said ribs and grooves having complementary cylindrical surfaces for pivotally interconnecting adjacent sections, each of said ribs and the lower edge of each groove having a recessed area, a bracket on each section, each of said brackets having a laterally projecting flange positioned in said recessed area thereby preventing relative transverse sliding movement of said sections and permitting pivotal movement therebetween.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 340,368 Schmitt Apr. 20, 1866 457,443 Pickett Aug. 11, 1891 508,938 Hamilton Nov. 21, 1893 540,920 Mainardi June 11, 1895 542,139 Brodin July 2, 1895 694,439 Spink Mar. 4, 1902 1,272,983 Menzo July 16, 1918 1,665,028 Halvorsen Apr. 3, 1928 1,829,590 Giard Oct. 27, 1931 1,950,927 McMillan Mar. 13, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS 104,977 Sweden July 14, 1942 431,840 Great Britain July 16, 1935 

